As the US continues its pivot toward Asia, it must work with and alongside China. Given the information we know about Li Keqiang, we can infer party decisions for programs and departments that are within his sphere of influence. Li Keqiang holds powerful positions in both the state and party bodies allowing his disposition to help shape the future of China.

In April, President Xi Jinping visited the Uyghur Autonomous Region and spoke specifically on the issue of combating terrorism. China has recently developed a new National Security Commission to deal with “unconventional security”. Given the escalating situation in various autonomous regions, the likelihood that China will develop a broader official counterterrorism program under the new commission is high. XinJiang Autonomous Region stages some of China’s most violent separatist movements, the most violent of which being considered as developing terrorist-threats. This new commission and subsequent program could be a major opportunity for the U.S. to deal directly with the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) and the police force. In previous attempts to foster greater cooperation, the military has been the most difficult point to reconcile.

Since the formation of the Chinese Communist party, the world has watched China evolve into the world power it is today. However, the rise in Chinese foreign investments indicates a weakening homeland where Chinese billionaires do not want to store their capital. Consequently, China is playing a deceiving game of economic protectionism masked by a rise in soft power. The fact that both the Chinese state and private sectors are seeking to move significant amounts of capital overseas as opposed to investing at home, however, is a reflection of perceptions of the condition of the domestic economy.

The U.S.-Mexican relationship is at an important crossroads. Congress is debating the issue of immigration reform. New developments in the war on drugs have prompted questions about cooperation with Mexico. President Peña Nieto has adopted a plan for reform that provides the United States an opportunity to support its southern neighbor and solidify relations. At the same time, however, China is busy spreading its own influence in Mexico.

As a pariah state, threatened by much more powerful nations than itself and with weakening ties to its most important allies, North Korea has every reason to want nuclear weapons. The only threats strong enough to compel North Korea to give up its nuclear ambitions are either military force or a crushing embargo from China.